[Footnote 71: _Chart. Univ. Paris._, I, No. 246.] [Footnote 72: Rashdall, I, p. 436.] [Footnote 73: _Munimenta Acad. Oxon.,_ I, pp. 35-36.] [Footnote 74: _Munimenta Acad. Oxon._, I, pp. 242-243.] [Footnote 75: The figures in brackets indicate the time to be given to each book, or group of books. The data are from Zarncke, _Statutenbuecher der Univ. Leipzig._, 311-312.] [Footnote 76: For the requirements in 1519 see p. 134.] VI ACADEMIC LETTERS 1. LETTERS RELATING TO PARIS (a) _A Twelfth-Century Critic_ The pessimist who laments the decay of education, and who feels that its golden age was the time in which he received his own training, or earlier, is a perennial figure in the history of education. The following letter has a surprisingly modern ring. Denifle (p. 747) thinks that Stephen was unable to reconcile himself to the new movement at Paris because of his monastic training. Stephen's view, however, "was not wholly wrong." Compare the letter of Peter de la Celle to John of Salisbury, page 144. "Stephen [Bishop] of Tournai, in his letters directed to the Pope, laments the ruin of the study of sacred literature, of Canon Law and the Arts, and, blaming the professors, implores the hand of Apostolic correction." (1192-1203.) To the Pope. Beseeching his pardon, we would speak to our sovereign Pontiff, whose kindness stimulates our boldness, whose knowledge supports our ignorance, whose patience assures indulgence. The authority of our forefathers first impels us, then the disease which is insinuating itself, and which will in the end be irremediable if its evil influence be not checked at the beginning. Nor do we say this, Father, as though we wish to be either censors of morals, or judges of the doctors, or debaters of doctrines. This burden requires stronger shoulders and this fight calls for the vigorous arms of spiritual athletes. We wish only to point out this distress to your sacred Fatherhood, on whom God has conferred the power of checking error and the knowledge of how to correct it.